Tariffs are taxes that the government instituted to be paid on imports to “protect” us from foreign competition. They restrain us from purchasing imported goods/services that we want. It makes goods/services more expensive for the consumer.

Pro-tect-tion-ism

noun

The theory or practice of shielding a country’s domestic industries from foreign competition by taxing imports.

Protectionism is a misnomer. The only people protected by tariffs, quotas and trade restrictions are those engaged in uneconomic and wasteful activity. Free trade is the only philosophy compatible with international peace and prosperity. – Walter Block

Tariffs will definitely reduce exports. People in foreign countries paying these tariffs will not have as much money to buy our exported goods. In turn you will not have as much money to buy their goods. When this happens no one is getting what they want but the government.

It is also important to note here that tariffs will cause a decrease in competition thereby causing a decrease in quality of product. When there are less people to sell to it only makes sense that product standards will go down because companies feel less threatened. When the product is less available and we do not have many options we will pay a higher price for a poorly made item.